Firearm with removable locking system

ABSTRACT

A simplified locking and firing mechanism for a firearm using metallic cartridges having an action constructed from a straight cylinder to transfer the pressure from the barrel to the rear section of the action. The locking and unlocking structure, the safety and striker, as well as the sear are combined in one assembly cooperating with a simple leverage assembly for the trigger.

United States Patent 1 1 1111 3,733,731 Nicholson 1451 May 22, 1973 s41 FIREARM WITH REMOVABLE 2,090,656 8/1937 Williams ..42/69 A LOCKING SYSTEM 2,098,562 11/1937 Browning ..42/16 [76] Inventor: Morris R. Nicholson, 2001 Yeager Drive, Longmont, Colo. 80501 Primary Examiner-Benjamin A. Borchelt Assistant Examiner-C. T. Jordan [22] Filed: 1971 Attorney-Alexander 8. Blair [21] Appl. No.: 197,853

[57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl..- ..42/69 A, 42/16 A simplified locking and firing mechanism for a [5.1] Int. Cl ..F41c 19/00, F4lc 11/00 firearm using metallic cartridges having an action con- [58] Field of Search ..42/69 A, 16 structed from a straight cylinder to transfer the pressure from the barrel to the rear section of the action. [56] efe e c s C te The locking and unlocking structure, the safety and UNITED STATES PATENTS striker, as well as the-S681 are combmed in one assembly cooperatmg w1th a simple leverage assembly 117,398 7/1871 Fogerty ..42/16 for the trigger. 1,349,675 8/1920 Johnson ..42/16 1,993,887 3/1935 Kewish ..42/69 A 9 Claims, 46 Drawing Figures //6 III 611/2 90 95 H4 5'2 65 79 53 52 "ggg/ W/ MM //[AY//%/////////// "I',,W\;\ *W L EW 1 FIREARM WITH REMOVABLE LOCKING SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to firearms using metallic cartridges and particularly to its simplified locking and firing mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is directed to a simplified locking and firing mechanism for firearms using metallic cartridges. The barrel is screwed into a straight cylindrical action which transfers the pressure from the barrel to the rear section of the action. The locking and unlocking of the bolt, the safety and striker, and the sear are combined in one assembly cooperating with a simple leverage assembly extending from the trigger.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a simplified locking and firing mechanism for metallic cartridges and firearms which combines the mechanism in a straight cylindrical action in a simplified form.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent in the following specification when considered in the light of the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the invention with the barrel and stock broken away for convenience of illustration;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the trigger housing;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the trigger housing;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevation of the trigger housing;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the trigger;

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of the trigger bar;

FIG. 8 is a transverse horizontal sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of the cylindrical receiver;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the receiver;

FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of the receiver;

FIG. 12 is a rear elevation of the receiver trigger mechanism and bolt in unlocked position;

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 12 illustrating the parts in locked position;

FIG. 14 is a side elevation of the firing pin;

FIG. 15 is a front elevation of the firing pin;

FIG. 16 is a rear elevation of the firing pin;

FIG. 17 is an elevational view of the bolt handle;

FIG. 18 is an end view of the bolt handle;

FIG. 19 is a side elevation of the bolt assembly hous- FIG. 20 is a front end elevation of the bolt assembly housing;

FIG. 21 is a rear end elevation of the bolt assembly housing;

FIG. 22 is a side elevation of the inner bolt;

FIG. 23 is a front end elevation of the inner bolt;

FIG. 24 is a rear end elevation of the inner bolt;

FIG. 25 is a side elevation of the sear support assemy;

FIG. 26 is a front end elevation of the sear support assembly;

FIG. 27 is a rear elevation of the sear support assemy;

FIG. 28 is a bottom plan view of the sear support assembly;

FIG. 29 is a bottom plan view of the sear;

FIG. 30 is an inverted side elevation of the sear;

FIG. 31 is a rear end elevation of the sear;

FIG. 32 is a side elevation of the sear support plug;

FIG. 33 is a rear elevation of the structure shown in FIG. 32;

FIG. 34 is a side elevation of the locking flange;

FIG. 35 is a front elevation of the locking flange;

FIG. 36 is a side elevation of the selector;

FIG. 37 is a front elevation of the selector;

FIG. 38 is a side elevation of the selector stop;

FIG. 39 is a front elevation of the selector stop;

FIG. 40 is a side elevation of the firing pin striker;

FIG. 41 is a front elevation of the firing pin striker;

FIG. 42 is a rear elevation of the firing pin striker;

FIG. 43 is a. side elevation of a retainer ring;

FIG. 44 is a rear elevation of the rear retainer ring;

FIG. 45 is a side elevation of the firing pin striker spring guide; and

FIG. 46 is a rear elevation of the firing pin striker spring guide.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several figures the reference numeral 50 indicates generally a firearm locking and firing mechanism constructed in accordance with the invention.

The mechanism 50 includes a conventional rifle stock 51 supporting a conventional rifle barrel 52 having its rear end reduced in diameter and threaded at 53. A cylindrical receiver 54 is secured to the stock 51 by means of a headed screw 55 at the forward end of the receiver 54 and by a headed screw 56 at the rear end of the receiver 54. A trigger guard 57 is secured at its rear end to the underside of the stock 51 by the screw 56 and at its forward end by a screw 58 which is also threaded into the receiver 54. The receiver 54 has an aperture 59 at the forward end thereof opening through the top and the right side of the receiver 54 to permit the insertion of and ejection of cartridges. An elongate slot 60 is formed in the left side of the receiver 54 to permit a bolt handle to extend therethrough.

An elongate slot 61 is formed in the bottom of the rear portion of the receiver 54 to permit engagement of a trigger bar with a sear. An annular groove 62 is formed in the rear end portion of the receiver 54 for reasons to be assigned and has longitudinal rearwardly extending grooves 63 formed therein. The receiver 54 is internally threaded at 64 at its forward end for threaded engagement with the threaded extension 53 on the barrel 52.

A generally cylindrical bolt assembly 65 is mounted in the receiver 54 for longitudinal sliding movement therein. A transverse bore 66 is formed in one side of the bolt assembly 65 and a bolt handle 67 is adapted to be seated therein extending out through the aperture 60 of the receiver 54. The bolt handle 67 has a transverse bore 68 extending completely through the inner end thereof for reasons to be assigned. A relatively large axial bore 69 opens into the rear end of the assembly 65 extending a substantial distance therein. A detentsocket 70 is formed in the periphery of the bore 69 adjacent the inner end thereof. An axial counterbore 71 extends inwardly of the assembly 65 from the inner end of the large bore 69. A relatively small bore 72 offcenter of the bore 71 connects the bore 71 with the forward end 73 of the bolt assembly 65. A relatively small bore 74 extends forwardly from the bore 69 parallel to the bore 71 and intersects the bore 66. A firing pin indicated generally at 75 has a generally cylindrical body 76 with an offcenter pin 77 extending forwardly therefrom. A bore 78 opens into the forward end of the body 76 to receive a firing pin return spring 79 therein. A cylindrical extension 80 is formed axially on the rear of the body 76 and extends rearwardly therefrom. The rear end of the extension 80 is grooved to form a right angle cross 81 as can be best seen in FIG. 16.

An inner bolt indicated generally at 82 has a generally cylindrical body 83 with an enlarged collar 84 integrally formed on the rear end thereof. The cylindrical body 83 and the collar 84 have a plurality of longitudinally extending lands 85 separated by longitudinally extending grooves 86 surrounding a hollow center in the cylindrical body 83. A pin 87 extends forwardly from the cylindrical body 83 at one side thereof and is adapted to engage through the bore 74 and the bore 68 to lock the handle 67 in the bolt assembly 65. A spring pressed ball detent 88 is located in the inner bolt 83 to engage in the socket 70 in the bore 69 to detachably secure the inner bolt 82 and the firing pin 75 in the bolt assembly 65. The inner bolt 82 has an axial bore 89 extending therethrough into which the extension 80 fits.

A sear support indicated generally at 90 includes a generally cylindrical body 91 having a reduced diameter cylindrical forward extension 92 integrally formed thereon. A plurality of longitudinal lands 93 are integrally formed on the reduced diameter portion 92 and extend radially outwardly therefrom. The lands 93 are adapted to fit into the grooves 86 to longitudinally slide therein. The sear support 90 has an axial bore 94 extending therein from one end and a smaller diameter axial bore 94A from the opposite end for reasons to be assigned. The bore 94 has an enlarged threaded opening at the rear end of the sear support 90 for reasons to be assigned. A T-shaped recess 96 is formed in the underside of the cylindrical body 91 to receive a generally T-shaped sear 97. Spring sockets 98 are formed in the cylindrical body 91 at opposite ends of the cross bar of the T recess 96 to receive coil springs to normally urge the sear 97 outwardly of the recess 96. A bore 99 opens from the leg of the T recess 96 into the bore 94.

The scar 97 is generally T-shaped and is adapted to fit the T-shaped recess 96 in the body 91. The sear is secured in the recess 96 by a pin which extends through a transverse bore 100 in the body 91 and a transverse bore 101 in the sear 97. A detent 102 is formed on the sear 97 for engagement in the bore 99 and to extend into the bore 94 when in its innermost position. The cross bar 103 on the sear 97 is arcuate in its outer face to conform to the arcuate shape of the cylindrical body 91.

A plug 104 has an externally threaded extension 105 which is adapted to be threaded into the internally threaded portion 95 of the cylindrical body 91. The plug 104 has an axial bore 106 opening in from the forward end thereof and terminating intermediate the opposite ends thereof. A reduced diameter cylindrical extension 107 is formed on the plug 104 to extend oppositely of the reduced diameter threaded extension 105. A second reduced diameter extension 108 is formed on the reduced diameter extension 107 and a third reduced diameter extension 109 is formed on the reduced diameter extension 108.

A locking flange 111 is provided with three locking lugs 112 equally spaced about the periphery thereof. The locking flange 111 has a bore 113 extending therethrough and adapted to fit over the reduced diameter extension 108. A counter-bore 114 has a diameter somewhat greater than the bore 113 and is adapted to fit over the reduced diameter extension 107. The locking lugs 112 are adapted to engage in the groove 62 in the rear end of the receiver 54.

A hand actuated selector is indicated generally at 116. The selector 116 includes a generally cylindrical body 117 having a bore 118 formed therein to receive the reduced diameter portion 109 of the plug 104. A bore 1 19 extends through the body 117 intersecting the bore 118 and adapted to be aligned with a bore 120 formed in the reduced diameter portion 109. A pin is adapted to extend through the bores 119, 120 to lock the selector 116 to the plug 104. An offset recess 121 is formed in the forward face of the selector 116 intersecting the bore 118 to receive a selector stop 122 adapted to be seated therein. The selector stop 122 has a depending portion 123 which extends below the se lector 116 into a transverse slot S formed in the rear end portion of the receiver 54. The slot S has a dimension such that the stop 122 can move therein as the selector 116 is rotated about its axis limiting the selector 116 to a rotation of 22% as illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13. The lands 93 on the sear support 90 are adapted to align with the grooves 86 on the inner bolt 82 at one end of the rotation of the selector 116 thus permitting the inner bolt to move rearwardly over the sear support 91. In the opposite limit of rotation of the selector 116 the lands 93 align with the lands to lock the inner bolt 82 against rearward movement in the receiver 541.

A generally cylindrical firing pin striker 124 is mounted for sliding movement in the bore 94 of the sear support and through the bore 89 of the inner bolt 82. The firing pin striker 124 has an internal bore 125 which opens from the rear end thereof terminating short of the front end thereof. A pair of grooves 126 are formed in the forward end of the firing pin striker 124 at 90 to each other coinciding with the rear end of the firing pin 75 to interfit therewith. A pair of spaced apart shoulders 127A-127B are integrally formed on the firing pin striker 124 projecting radially outwardly therefrom at the rear end portion of the firing pin striker 124. The shoulder 127A acts as a stop of forward motion when striking the shoulder between bores 94 and 94A. The shoulder 127B cooperates with the sear 97. A transverse slot 128 is formed in the firing pin striker 124 adjacent the rear end thereof and communicating with the bore 125.

A cylindrical collar 129 is adapted to fit over the rear end of the firing pin striker 124 covering the transverse slot 128 therein. A cylindrical firing pin striker spring guide 130 is slidably mounted in the bore 125 and has a cylindrical collar 131 integrally formed thereon to support the rear end thereof. The slot 128 serves as a positioning guide for spring guide 130. A coil spring C is positioned in the bore 125 and is engaged against the forward end of the guide 130 to normally urge the firing pin striker 124 forwardly to engage the firing pin 75 with an impact.

A trigger housing 132 is mounted in the stock 51 and is secured to the receiver 54 at its rear end by a screw 133 and at its front end by a screw 134.- A trigger bar 135 is mounted in a slot 136 in the topof the trigger housing 132 on a pivot pin 137 which extends through a bore 138 extending transversely through the trigger bar 135. A finger 139 is formed on the trigger bar 135 and extends upwardly to engage the sear 97. An inverted V-shaped notch 140 is formed in the opposite end of the trigger bar 135 for reasons to be assigned.

The screw 133 also extends into and secures the locking flange 111 and trigger housing 132. The plug 104, selector 116, spring guide 130, firing pin striker 124 and sear support 90 are all locked together to rotate as a unit when the selector 116 is revolved.

A trigger 141 is mounted in the lower end of the trigger housing on a pivot pin 142 extending transversely therethrough. The upper end of the trigger 141 is formed into a bifurcated yoke 143 to engage on opposite sides of the trigger bar 135. A pin 144 extends transversely through a bore 145 in the yoke 143 and engages in the inverted V-shaped notch 140 of the trigger bar 135 so that pivotal movement of the trigger 141 about the pivot pin 144 will rock the trigger bar 135 about the pivot pin 137. A coil spring 146 is seated in a bore 147 in the trigger housing 132 and has a plunger 148 which bears against the trigger 141 to normally urge the trigger 141 in a forward non-release direction.

In the use and operation of the locking and firing mechanism 50 beginning with the bolt assembly 65 at its fowardmost end and the sear support 90 rotated by the selector 116 to its locking position with the lands 93 in engagement with the rear ends of the lands 85 which is the position immediately following the firing of the rifle. The first step is to rotate the selector 116 counterclockwise when viewed as looking forward from the rear of the rifle to align the lands 93 with the grooves 86 to permit the bolt assembly 65 to be moved rearwardly. Rotation of the selector 116 rotates the sear support 90 so that the sear 97 is moved out of a position to be contacted by the finger 139 to thus prevent the sear from being accidentally released. The handle 67 is then grasped and moved rearwardly in the aperture 60 causing the bolt assembly 65, inner bolt 82, and firing pin striker 124 to all move rearwardly. In this process the spring C is compressed and the detent 102 on the sear 97 engages between the shoulders 127 to lock the firing pin striker 124 in its rearmost position.

If the trigger is pulled at this time the finger 139 on the trigger bar 135 merely engages the circumference of the cylindrical portion 91 of the sear support 90 and the sear 97 is not released. A new cartridge is then inserted into the rear of the barrel 52 and the handle 67 is pushed forwardly to return the bolt assembly 65 and the inner bolt 82 to its forwardmost position against the rear of the barrel 52. The firing pin striker 124 is still retained in its rearmost position by the sear 97. The selector 116 is then rotated clockwise 22% to move the lands 93 into alignment with the lands 85 to lock the inner bolt 82 and thus the bolt assembly 65 in its forward position. The rotation also rotates the sear support 90 so that the sear 97 is rotated to align itself with the finger 139 on the trigger bar 135 to thus prepare the mechanism for firing. Rearward pressure on the trigger 141 now rocks the trigger bar 135 about the pivot 137 and causes the finger 139 to press upwardly against the forward end of the sear 97 pulling the detent 102 out from engagement with the shoulders 127 to release the firing pin striker 124 for its forward travel. The forward end of the firing pin striker 124 has the cross slots thereof non-aligned with the cross on the rear of the firing pin so that the firing pin is struck with sufficient force to fire the rifle. In the event that through wear of the sear 97 or any other reason the firing pin striker 124 should be released when the selector 116 has not been turned to the right 22% then the slots in the forward end of the firing pin striker 124 align with the shape of the rear end of the firing pin so as to engage thereover and prevent the firing pin 75 from being struck with sufficient force to fire the rifle.

While not specifically disclosed herein conventional methods for extracting and ejecting the spent cartridge case are used in the present invention.

Having thus described the preferred embodiments of the invention it should be understood that numerous structural modifications and adaptations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A locking and firing mechanism for firearms of the type using metallic cartridges comprising a stock, a cylindrical receiver secured to said stock, a barrel secured to the forward end of said cylindrical receiver and extending forwardly therefrom, a bolt slidably mounted in said cylindrical receiver, a bolt handle secured to said bolt and extending through a slot in said cylindrical receiver for longitudinal reciprocating motion with respect to said cylindrical receiver, a firing pin in said bolt, a sear support mounted in said cylindrical receiver rearwardly of said bolt, a selector, means connecting said selector to said sear support for rotating said sear support on rotation of said selector, means on said sear support for locking said bolt in forward position in one direction of rotation of said sear support, a sear in said sear support, a trigger mounted beneath said receiver, means extending from said trigger to said sear to release said sear upon movement of said trigger, said sear rotating with said sear support out of alignment with the means for releasing said sear upon rotation of said sear support to unlock said bolt.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein a firing pin striker is mounted for reciprocation in said sear support, a spring is mounted in said firing pin striker for propelling said firing pin striker forwardly with said sear being adapted to secure said firing pin striker in rearmost position regardless of the rotational adjustment of said sear support with respect to said firing pin striker.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the forward end of said firing pin striker and the rear end of said firing pin are provided with cooperating means to permit engagement of said firing pin striker with said firing pin in one position of rotation and to prevent contact of said firing pin striker and said firing pin in another position of rotation of said firing pin striker with respect to said firing pin.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the cooperating means on said firing pin striker and said firing pin comprises perpendicularly crossed grooves on the forward end of said firing pin striker and a cooperating perpendicular cross on the rear end of said firing pin.

5. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for locking said bolt in forward position comprises a plurality of internal lands separated by a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves in said bolt and a plurality of outwardly extending lands formed on said sear support for alignment with the lands on said bolt in one position of said sear support and for alignment with the grooves between the lands in said bolt in the second rotational position of said sear support.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein a trigger housing is provided in said stock and said trigger is mounted in said trigger housing beneath said receiver.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6 wherein a trigger bar is mounted in said trigger housing for rocking 

1. A locking and firing mechanism for firearms of the type using metallic cartridges comprising a stock, a cylindrical receiver secured to said stock, a barrel secured to the forward end of said cylindrical receiver and extending forwardly therefrom, a bolt slidably mounted in said cylindrical receiver, a bolt handle secured to said bolt and extending through a slot in said cylindrical receiver for longitudinal reciprocating motion with respect to said cylindrical receiver, a firing pin in said bolt, a sear support mounted in said cylindrical receiver rearwardly of said bolt, a selector, means connecting said selector to said sear support for rotating said sear support on rotation of said selector, means on said sear support for locking said bolt in forward position in one direction of rotation of said sear support, a sear in said sear support, a trigger mounted beneath said receIver, means extending from said trigger to said sear to release said sear upon movement of said trigger, said sear rotating with said sear support out of alignment with the means for releasing said sear upon rotation of said sear support to unlock said bolt.
 2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein a firing pin striker is mounted for reciprocation in said sear support, a spring is mounted in said firing pin striker for propelling said firing pin striker forwardly with said sear being adapted to secure said firing pin striker in rearmost position regardless of the rotational adjustment of said sear support with respect to said firing pin striker.
 3. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the forward end of said firing pin striker and the rear end of said firing pin are provided with cooperating means to permit engagement of said firing pin striker with said firing pin in one position of rotation and to prevent contact of said firing pin striker and said firing pin in another position of rotation of said firing pin striker with respect to said firing pin.
 4. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the cooperating means on said firing pin striker and said firing pin comprises perpendicularly crossed grooves on the forward end of said firing pin striker and a cooperating perpendicular cross on the rear end of said firing pin.
 5. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for locking said bolt in forward position comprises a plurality of internal lands separated by a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves in said bolt and a plurality of outwardly extending lands formed on said sear support for alignment with the lands on said bolt in one position of said sear support and for alignment with the grooves between the lands in said bolt in the second rotational position of said sear support.
 6. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein a trigger housing is provided in said stock and said trigger is mounted in said trigger housing beneath said receiver.
 7. A device as claimed in claim 6 wherein a trigger bar is mounted in said trigger housing for rocking movement about a transverse axis and said trigger is connected to said trigger bar for rocking said trigger bar on said axis.
 8. A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said trigger bar is provided with an upstanding finger for engaging said sear in one direction of rotation of said sear support to release said sear.
 9. A device as claimed in claim 5 wherein said bolt includes an inner bolt and said inner bolt secures said firing pin in said bolt. 